\u201cOur April concert combines a fascinating mix of works that are inspired by the American experience,\u201d says Butorac. \u201cIf Alexandra du Bois\u2019 work introduces a concept of the American orchestral sound in the 21st century, the other two works were seminal in establishing an American school in the late 19th century.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Amit Peled<\/p><\/div>\n
The program opens with Fanfare on We Shall Overcome<\/em>. Composed in 2008 and premiered in January 2009, the piece was inspired by the hymn We Shall Overcome<\/em> and the inauguration of the first African American President of the United States of America.<\/p>\n Next, cellist Amit Peled joins the ASO for Herbert\u2019s Cello Concerto No. 2. The piece inspired Herbert\u2019s friend and colleague Dvor\u00e1k to write his own cello concerto, which premiered two years later.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is important to me as a new American citizen to play a piece by a person who came from Scotland to America, became American and championed the music of this country,\u201d says Peled. \u201cI feel very connected to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Internationally renowned cellist Peled is acclaimed as one of the most exciting and virtuosic instrumentalists of our time. Having performed in many of the world\u2019s most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York, Peled has released more than a dozen recordings on the Naxos, Centaur, Delos and CTM Classics labels. Musical America named Peled one of the Top 30 Influencers of 2015.<\/p>\n \u201cAmit is a wonderful musician and a great friend to the Asheville Symphony,\u201d says Butorac. \u201cHe was very kind to join us during our virtual season and I am delighted to work with him on this important, yet infrequently performed, piece.\u201d<\/p>\n